Every Rock and Heavy Metal fan of a certain age views the late broadcaster Tommy Vance as a hero. Tonight there is an opportunity to hear the great man once more in the last ever 'Friday Rock Show'.

Tommy co-founded Team Rock Radio, originally called TotalRock, with his former Radio 1 producer Tony Wilson, and it is Tony who has put together this final edition which was originally broadcast in 1993 and goes out at 10pm tonight, Friday 27 December.

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For fifteen years from 1978 to 1993, BBC Radio One at 10pm on a Friday was a date to be kept for all rock fans - either listening live, or taped from the radio on a C120.

It seems incredible looking back now in the digital age, but at the time this was pretty much the only mainstream media outlet where Heavy Metal could be heard in the UK.

Tommy Vance not just showcased many new bands, but the show featured exclusive live and in session performances from the best bands of the day. There were recordings made specifically for the programme, and gems from the BBC archives were also aired.

It was undoubtedly also Tommy himself though, with his natural conversation style and clear love of the music that kept the enjoyment factor up week after week and made the show truly essential listening.